TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Filmmaker Smriti Mundhra joins Abhay for a conversation about her latest work, 'The Romantics' which is available on NETFLIX.  They chatted about making the series, about Hindi films, about her past work, and about channeling lessons learned from her movie-making father.
(0:00 - 2:46) - Introduction
(2:46 - 14:01) - Part 1: Hindi movies and making documentaries
(14:01 - 29:16) - Part 2: "unlearning" and the surprises in making 'The Romantics'
(29:16 - 41:25) - Part 3: using her diasporic voice and connecting with audiences
(41:25) - Conclusion

British actor, spoken word artist, writer, and broadcaster Mim Shaikh joins Abhay to talk about his latest work in the multicultural film "What's Love Got To Do With It".  They shared a conversation about lessons learned, about mirrors for audiences and windows into his acting world and his identity, and about how he cultivates trust.
(0:00 - 3:08) Introduction
(3:08 - 12:35) Part 1: misconceptions, motivations, and processing through catharsis
(12:35 - 29:11) Part 2: making a British South Asian Muslim rom-com, mirrors and windows, cultivating trust
(29:11 - 35:43) Part 3: the next steps of his journey, and some heartfelt reflections 

Abhay is joined by the dean of Harvard Business School, Srikant Datar. They chatted about making making a difference in the world, transformative initiatives, lessons in leadership, problem solving in the 21st century, and finding joy!
(0:00 - 2:54) Introduction
(2:54 - 16:33) Part 1 - making a difference, priorities,  and trust in institutions
(16:33 - 28:31) Part 2 - career journeys, immigrant identity, talent and opportunity
(28:31 - 43:03) Part 3 - humility, community values, and what brings him joy
(43:03) Summary

Tony Khan, owner of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, and Fulham FC from the Premier League joins Abhay for a conversation reflecting on the Super Bowl, on his love of wrestling, and balancing data analytics and instinct.  
(0:00 - 2:41) Introduction
(2:41 - 13:29) Part 1 - the Jaguars season, growing up with sports as a Pakistani-American in Champaign, IL
(13:29 - 26:02) Part 2 - All Elite Wrestling (AEW), data analytics, and storytelling through endearment
(26:02) Summary

Abhay is joined by Smriti Bhadauria and Kartik Vasan from the Brown Van Life, via the road on the Pan American Highway.  They chatted about the lessons learned in travel, dealing with the highs and lows of life in the van, being an Indian couple on this adventure, and living in the moment while cultivating trust along the way.  Through a rainy spell, fixing their van and communicating with a mechanic, and dealing with Abhay and their dogs, they both survived!
(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction
(2:45) Part 1 - "rolling with it" on the Columbia/Ecuador border, how it started, the rewards and surprises 
(15:01) Part 2 - Developing relationships in travel, surviving as a couple, being an Indian Couple on the road
(33:07) Part 3 - representing Indians and people of color, taking risks and living in the moment, cultivating trust
(46:13) Summary

Abhay is joined by musician and rapper, Pallaví AKA Fijiana, as they chatted about making music, about empowerment, and her identity as an American Indo-Fijian artist from Richmond,CA.  
(0:00 - 3:22) Introduction
(3:22 - 11:26) Part 1: dissecting what it feels like to make music right now, finding her voice as an artist, and integrating feedback
(11:26 - 21:43) Part 2: reflecting on her identity through her music
(21:43 - 31:18) Part 3: empowerment, risk, and vulnerability on her artistic journey
(31:18) Summary

Content creator, actor, and freelancer Ahilya Bamroo joins Abhay to chat about her background, the observation and empathy involved in her work, and finding creativity from boredom! 
(0:00-2:25) - Introduction
(2:25-11:05) - Part 1: Growing up in a multilingual environment, empathy, and accents of the world
(11:05-25:08) - Part 2: Being a digital content creator and artist and finding relatable experiences
(25:08-35:23) - Part 3: surprises from Auroville, finding creativity from boredom, and cultivating trust

Abhay is joined by newly elected US Congressman Shri Thanedar to chat about his campaign, about his journey as an immigrant and finding the American dream, about his priorities, about how his story resonates with voters and communities, and about his optimism for the future.
(0:00 - 3:07) Introduction
(3:07 - 15:58) Part 1 - lessons from campaigning, priorities for his Detroit district
(15:59 - 28:52) Part 2 - delivering as a democrat in a divided Congress, his immigrant background and serving as an Indian American
(28:52 - 28:16) Part 3 - resonating with African American voters, cultivating trust, and his joy and optimism

Abhay is joined by the multi-talented Kal Penn, actor, producer, public servant, and author of the memoir "You Can't Be Serious".  They chatted about Kal's journey and writing, about his thoughts on being brown in Hollywood, and about his work in public service.  There may have been some Gujarati spoken and some talk of an emerald green Mercedes. 
(0:00-3:21) Introduction
(3:21-17:39) Part 1: A proper intro, Codeswitching, and writing his memoir
(17:39-33:12) Part 2: The "Brown Catch-22", current content and brown representation in Hollywood
(33:16-44:42) Part 3: Public service, identity and multiple passions, impressions on new audiences
(44:42) Summary

Abhay is joined by author, spoken-word artist, and creative HUMBLE the POET in a conversation about his new book "How To Be Love(d)" and his ongoing learning experiences.  Among other things, they chatted about love, his experiences as a teacher, ruminating thoughts, and salty potato chips.
(0:00-2:43) - Introduction
(2:43 - 19:00) - Part 1: How to be Love(d) and writing the book
(19:00- 38:00) - Part 2: Writing, Teaching, and the moment he became "Humble"
(38:01- 53:20) - Part 3: Practicing and Learning and Creating 
(53:20) - Summary